Nonye Ayeni: FG to Clear Funding Obstacles for Women Exporters, First Tranche of $50m WEIDE Fund to Be Disbursed Q1 2026

James Emejo in Abuja

The Executive Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni, yesterday assured beneficiaries of the $50 million Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund that the first tranche of grants under the programme will be disbursed in the first quarter of 2026, following the completion of ongoing capacity-building and compliance processes.

Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting for beneficiaries of the Fund in Abuja,  she reaffirmed the council’s commitment to addressing the persistent challenges confronting women in global trade, particularly access to finance.

She acknowledged that several women find it difficult to access credit, adding that the council remained determined to address the constraints moving forward.

Ayeni noted that the programme goes beyond grants to address real financing gaps.

However, she said, “While funding is important, the real focus is on skills; financial literacy, bookkeeping, tax compliance, and strategic business planning—areas often overlooked but essential for sustainability.”

She said training will continue alongside grant disbursement, noting that “This is deliberate. We do not want a situation where participants only complete training and wait passively for grants. The Women in Export Programme (WEP) team will closely monitor progress, track what coaches are teaching, and ensure participants fully benefit from the programme.”

Ayeni said moving forward, the “WEP team will work closely with all participants to ensure they maximise the full benefits of this initiative. This programme is competitive and selective, and it should not be taken for granted.

“The opportunity to access training, certification, mentorship, and markets is rare and valuable. Some participants may receive grants, others may not—but every participant must take advantage of the full programme, especially market access opportunities. Progress will be monitored, outcomes evaluated, and lessons documented.”

“This is a powerful and strategic programme. It is good for the country, good for women, and good for the growth of non-oil exports.”

The NEPC chief executive also said the $50 million WEIDE Fund, a global initiative by the WTO and ITC to empower women-led businesses in developing countries, especially Nigeria, by providing training, finance, and market access for digital trade

The programme seeks to help women exporters grow from small enterprises to global players through support like grants and mentorship, as seen in its launch phase benefiting 146 Nigerian women entrepreneurs.

She noted the significant capacity-building activities conducted for the 146 selected women entrepreneurs, adding that top-tier coaches and trainers had been deployed immediately after the official launch in August by the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Ayeni said, “The world today presents several areas of concern, and this makes initiatives like this even more critical. That is why this meeting has been convened—to take stock, align priorities, and address emerging challenges.

“The programme goes beyond conventional trade discussions. It integrates capacity building in multiple forms, aligned with the needs of women exporters. This is not just about conversations; it is about providing practical guidance, mentorship, and institutional support.

“At this point, I would like to highlight that last year marked a significant milestone for exporters and players across the supply chain. Non-oil exports grew by approximately 20.7 percent—the highest level in the country’s history—amounting to several billion dollars.

“In the first half of this year alone, export figures continued to show strong growth. Nigerian products reached multiple markets across Africa and beyond, reflecting the collective efforts of stakeholders.

“In 2024, NEPC implemented about 29 programmes across the country through its six regional offices, reaching over 60,000 participants. Certification remains a critical part of our intervention.

“This year, 305 participants will receive international certification, fully sponsored by NEPC. If you were unable to benefit previously, we are committed to ensuring broader inclusion going forward.

“Beyond certification, we emphasise mentorship, capacity development, and leadership engagement. While we initially planned to break into smaller groups for interactive sessions, this was not feasible due to hybrid participation. Nonetheless, participants are encouraged to fully maximise this opportunity.”